Natural Jute vs Synthetic Thread Ghillie Suit

Natural Jute vs Synthetic Threads

There are two basic types of materials used to make a ghillie suit: jute strands and synthetic strands. Jute is a natural material, and synthetic material is man-made. Both types of ghillie suits are popular, and both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Natural Jute Ghillie Suit

Made with natural jute strand material
Heavier weight keeps you warmer in cold climates
Traditional ghillie suit material, proven as effective camouflage
Must be coated with flame retardant

Synthetic Ghillie Suit

Lightweight
Water-proof
Rot-proof
Mildew resistant
Fire-retardant
Washable
Odor-less & Non-allergenic

Although up close you might see minor differences between the two types of materials (jute strands tend to be straighter and synthetic strands slightly curled), synthetic and jute ghillie suits are equally effective at blending in with the natural environment.

Some prefer synthetic ghillie suits because of their light weight and their ability to keep the body cool in hot, sticky climates. Others prefer the traditional choice of jute material. The choice between the two types of material is primarily a personal preference and not because one provides better camouflage than the other.

Pictured above is 1/2 lb of synthetic thread vs. 1 lb of natural jute. Both are in tan colors. The synthetic thread is at the top of the photo and the natural jute is below it. You can see that 1/2 lb of synthetic takes up the same amount of space that a pound of natural jute does. You can also see that the synthetic material is thinner than natural jute and a little more wavy. The tan is also much lighter. The picture below was taken with a flash.